According to a survey conducted in South Korea in 2024, over ** percent of male respondents cited financial concerns as the main reason for not getting married. Among female respondents, the primary reason was not having found the right person, with **** percent of responses.
Declining marriage rate
In South Korea, marriages have gradually decreased, falling below ******* per year. Alongside this decrease in marriages, the country has seen a significant drop in birth rates, which stood at **** births per woman in 2024. Births per woman dropped below one in 2018 and have declined since.
Changing roles of women
Many South Korean women are becoming career-driven, prioritizing work over starting a family early. This trend has become evident in South Korea's employment rates. The number of employed women has gradually risen over the years, but has remained lower than that of men. Despite this progress, gender inequality in employment and the pay gap continue to be significant issues. Although this number has declined, many women still leave the workforce after marriage.
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Korea Population Health and Welfare Association. (April 14, 2025). Leading reasons for not getting married in South Korea in 2024, by gender [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 08, 2026, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1248707/south-korea-reasons-for-not-getting-married-by-gender/
Korea Population Health and Welfare Association. "Leading reasons for not getting married in South Korea in 2024, by gender." Chart. April 14, 2025. Statista. Accessed May 08, 2026. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1248707/south-korea-reasons-for-not-getting-married-by-gender/
Korea Population Health and Welfare Association. (2025). Leading reasons for not getting married in South Korea in 2024, by gender. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 08, 2026. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1248707/south-korea-reasons-for-not-getting-married-by-gender/
Korea Population Health and Welfare Association. "Leading Reasons for Not Getting Married in South Korea in 2024, by Gender." Statista, Statista Inc., 14 Apr 2025, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1248707/south-korea-reasons-for-not-getting-married-by-gender/
Korea Population Health and Welfare Association, Leading reasons for not getting married in South Korea in 2024, by gender Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1248707/south-korea-reasons-for-not-getting-married-by-gender/ (last visited May 08, 2026)
Leading reasons for not getting married in South Korea in 2024, by gender [Graph], Korea Population Health and Welfare Association, April 14, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1248707/south-korea-reasons-for-not-getting-married-by-gender/